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RESOLUTION NO. aoas -
A RESOLUTION opposing designating the Hanford Reach as a wild and
scenic river.
WHEREAS, after due consideration and deliberation, the Pasco City
Council believes that the designation of the Hanford Reach as a wild and scenic
nver currently under consideration by the National Park Service, is unnecessary
and potentially detrimental to the region's agricultural and industrial based
economy, NOW, THEREFORE,
THE PASCO CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The Pasco City Council declares its
Hanford Reach as a wild and scemc nver
Tri-Cities Industrial Development Council
respondmg to the Hanford Reach Draft EIS,
Directors September 24, 1992
DATED this 5th day of October, 1992,
at its regular meeting
opposition to the designation of the
for the reasons summarized by the
(TRIDEC) in its policy statement
approved by the TRIDEC Board of
and passed by the Pasco City Council
JOYCE DeFELICE
Mayor
ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM
CATHERINE D SEAMAN
GREG A RUB STELLO
Deputy City Clerk City Attorney
TMDEC
TRI-CITY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNC L
901 N Colorado • Kenoowick, WA 99336-7685 U S A. • (509) 73541000 • FAX (509) 735-6609 • 1-800-TRI-CITY
POLICY STATEMENT
HANFORD REACH DRAFT EIS
,
Sep
a a tiv,. In- C04,104 CY,y,
416•8/04r1-
TRIDEC has reviewed the proposal to establish the Hanford Reach as a. Wild and Scenic
River. There could be positive economic aspects m the form of tourism and an increased
quality of life to draw new industries to the region. Since both sides of the Hanford Reach
have extensive industrial and agricultural development, TRIDEC questions the existence of
a natural environment worthy of protection. Even if one concludes that the Hanford Reach
is a resource that one should protect, the National Park Service recognizes there is already
adequate government protection of the area. The proposal would adversely affect the
region's economic existence.
The National Park Service's recommendation for protecting the Hanford Reach imphes a
need to protect that area. First, there should be an environment that is worthy of protection
and, second, there should be a need to protect it.
There is a question whether there is a unique, protectable environment along the 51 miles
of proposed Wild and Scenic River There are several hundred miles of the Columbia River
from the Canadian border to its mouth. The proposed protected region is but a small
percentage of the entire length. Along the west and south side of the Hanford Reach is the
Hanford Nuclear Reservation, which uses the river for a variety of industrial purposes.
Agricultural interests use most of the east and north side for growing and processing crops.
Dams contain most of the river's flow between the Canadian border and the sea. Only the
Hanford Reach is free-flowing. Although this latter fact makes the subject 51 miles unique,
it hardly qualifies that stretch as a Wild and Scenic River. Both industrial and agricultural
land uses straddle its length.
If the subject area is unique and wild, is it in need of protection? William J Briggle,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region of the National Park Service, stated
that "...the Study Team and the Task Force found the environment along the Reach to be
in reasonably good condition. The control over public access to the area for much of the
last 50 years has been instrumental in protecting the archaeological sites, the rare plants and
animals, and the fisheries to an unusual extent The condition of these resources indicates
to me that the stewardship of the Department of Energy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Bureau of Land Management, the Washington Department of Wildlife, and the private
landowners has been generally beneficial in perpetuating the natural resources of the
Hanford Reach."
Dean Mi ell, Chairman of the Board
SEP 28 '92 10 22AM TRIDEC
Page two
All parties, including the power interests, agree that the Hanford Reach should not be
dammed and further controlled. Therefore, the only interest of any government, federal,
state, or local, should be to ensure that the successes of the past continue.
The past practices have been successful as recognized by the Park Service. There is no valid
reason to change them. Surely the Study Team can suggest improvements, but the current
management of the Reach could implement them. Local governmental agencies and the
local arms of the aforementioned state and federal agencies could undertake such
improvements through their current organizational structures. Adding the National Park
Service would only insert another level of government without improving anything.
The Hanford Reach proposal impacts two economic aspects of the community, agriculture
and electric power generation. The east and north side of the river has extensive capital
invested in orchards and other agricultural development. Regulation by the National Park
Service could restict crop production and thereby reduce land values. The South Columbia
Basin irrigation District has dye major spillways that discharge runoff into the Columbia
River. The irrigators fear that restrictions on such outflows could close down the enure
system.
The power producers are concerned that restrictions surrounding the proposal could affect
them in several ways. Although their primary interests are electric power generation - and
to a lesser extent, flood control - the restrictions could curb releasing water from the dams
when they need the power or force them to dump water when no one needs the power.
Further restrictions would probably prevent them from constructing and maintaining
transmission lines through the area. Additionally, restrictions resulting from the proposed
designation might limit discharges of cooling water from WNP 2 nuclear power plant,
further aggravating the system's ability to provide much needed power to the Northwest.
The proposed designation of the Hanford Reach as a. Wild and Scenic River would
adversely impact the existing agricultural activities. It would also negatively affect energy
generation and transmission that is so vital to the entire Northwest. Although 'rREDEC
supports protection of the Hanford Reach, it =mot find any reason to overthrow the
existing organizations that collectively manage that area.. Let them continue their successful,
cooperative effort not only to protect that area's natural resources, but also to develop its
economic potential.
Approved by the TREIDEC Board of Directors this .2 -• day of 1992.
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